Truth & Spirituality

A Biblical Look at Cluster B

Today I want to discuss the Biblical take on the phenomenon labeled by modern psychology as “Cluster B Personality Disorders”. These are PDs which are diagnosable in the DSM of psychiatry, and that are generally believed by psychiatrists to be non treatable and non curable. They are viewed as separate and distinct from organically based mental diseases that have suspected or known causes, and therefore treatments.

Examples of Cluster B disorders are the Narcissist, Histrionic, Antisocial (Sociopath/Psychopath), and Borderline personalities. Psychiatry is trying to define issues of fallen sinful humanity. The only reason psychiatry is involved in this study is the mental stress that these disorders cause, and the frequency in which they appear on their couches. Here are the reasons that psychiatry has not yet discovered a ‘cure’:

– they do not understand the origins and causes of these “disorders”
– they do not have the correct frame of reference (spiritual) to understand the nature and distinctions within the disorders
– and therefore cannot understand what worsens or improves these conditions
– they cannot tell you the eventual outcome of such conditions
– they do not hold the answer or cure

Modern sciences are prejudiced against spirituality, so it is not a legitimate and respected answer to consider possible spiritual implications in secular study of psychology.

The Ancient Book of Wisdom that we are given in the Holy Bible once more has many more answers than the world can offer on this situation. We are living in the times prophesied that people would become increasingly selfish, and with it, there is an explosion of what is reported as “Narcissistic Abuse” and a rise in percentage of Sociopathic people.

2 Tim 3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

It has been speculated by modern science that a percentage of people are born without empathy or parts of their brain is smaller for Malthusian or evolutionary purposes. That some people are supposed to be born as colder soldier personalities to ensure survival of communities.

The psychology theory is that the percentage is at 1-3% psychopaths naturally born into society. It is more likely that a much higher percentage of people than the 1-3% are capable of growing up with very low empathy, high levels of selfishness and cruelty, unless God and God-ordained law and family/loved ones intervene. Veneer of lawful society likely masks the level of true psychopathy in the world, which becomes apparent when law and order breaks down.

Here are examples of where the Bible gives us answers where modern psychology fails us:

– Origins and Causes:
Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Mark 7:20-23 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

– Outcome, Answers, Cures
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Mark 9:43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
John 3:16-18 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

– Nature, Distinction, Aspects
The Bible is much more descriptive of the condition of mankind that psychology labels as “personality disorders”. The warning and takeaway for us here is that these problems are not just neat little psychiatric labels in which we can hide as a statistic, and our sins are excusable or almost accidental with no accountability. It is also a warning that even if you are not ‘diagnosable’ in the DSM, we all have areas that need repentance and a fallen nature that requires God’s salvation.

Perhaps on a more interesting note, the Bible is much more descriptive in the definition of different types of psychopaths, sociopaths, and narcissists (although it never uses these words), which gives us something that psychology or even courts do not:

– different kinds of evils that a person gives themselves over to
– the full danger of these lifestyles
– the demonic, worldly, and fleshly influences involved
– disapproval and judgment from the Creator
– the hope of justice and healing for victims beyond the failing justice systems of Earth
– hope of healing the disorder through fear of God, repentence, faith, regeneration

Scripture is not only more descriptive and explanatory than modern psychology, but is helpful when dealing with dangerous people and avoiding evil in our own lives. Once more, the Bible has the real answers and the best perspective.

Below, in ALL CAPS are the secular PSYCHIATRIC definitions of traits of Cluster B Disorders, followed by terms from scripture that refer to each trait.
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HIGH SENSE OF SELF IMPORTANCE, CENTER OF ATTENTION
BELIEVES SELF AS SPECIAL AND UNIQUE ABOVE RULES AND OTHERS; ENTITLEMENT
NEEDS EXCESSIVE ADMIRATION, INAPPROPRIATE SEDUCTIVE BEHAVIOR, ATTENTION SEEKING
ARROGANT, HAUGHTY BEHAVIORS ATTITUDES

Biblical Reference: Fearful, unbelieving, unfaithful, unrighteous, ungodly, evil eye, variance, emulations, strife/debater/contentious, covetous, anger, wrath, bloody, open sepulcher, enemy/deadly enemy, mischief, evil/evildoer, backbiter, slander, lurking in secret, dog/dumb dog/greedy dog, heathen, brutish person, oppressor, thieves, mean/cruel, spoiler, extortioner, malice/malicious, murderer, whisperer, despiteful, hater of God, inventor of evil things, disobedient to parents, obeying unrighteousness, without understanding, without natural affection, covenant breaker, implacable, unmerciful, slothful, serve their own belly, idolater, unjust
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Please note that the scriptural descriptions came from many verses and books throughout the Bible, in both Old and New Testaments. This tells me that there is no mistake in what is considered Good and Evil. It also tells me that there is enough of variety of specific descriptions so that there is no possibility here of “misinterpretation” of scripture!

Instead, society pressures people to be ‘open-minded’ and ‘tolerant’ about these issues.

We should always examine our own selves and repent first — which includes acknowledging evil and drawing lines of protection around our lives and our children (judgment). There are horrific and unnatural forces in the world today that are binding and trapping people into evil like never before, so we also need to be compassionate as we share the truth about the danger of sin and God’s escape plan.

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A related study I plan to do is predict or map the development of sociopath or criminal mind in the young person. You can tell by their decisions regarding key areas such as response to authority and instant gratification.

In my study of psychopathy, notorious criminals known for crimes such as bank robbery or serial murder would scoff and mock at the idea of sin in the scripture, calling them ‘mind control’ or ‘hypocritical’. Criminals carry the attitudes of lawlessness, disregard for other people, and “freedom” from any authority or God. No absolutes. When this is naturally challenged in the real world, they become overly defensive, even violent. Seems to work great for them until they are sitting on death row.

It is the same for the street sociopath, who might never see inside of a jail, yet who will also meet their day of reckoning. If you study much of the criminal life at all, you will soon find that the biggest problem they have is not so much with theft or murder. The biggest problem that a transgressor seems to have is, at very fundamental levels, they lie about everything. They lie to other people, excuse their actions, lie to the judge, lie to themselves, and are very double minded, conflicted deep within themselves, not acknowledging reality.